Roadtrip of a lifetime

From the moment I decided to do travel nursing and come to California, I knew I  wanted to rent a convertible and take the famous Pacific Coast Highway up the shore to see what the "talk" is about. Anyone and everyone will tell you that it's one of the "must do's" on your California list and thankfully it was checked off of mine.

Craig and I rented a Ford Mustang convertible last Saturday and after I got home from work (12 hour night shift) we took off on our journey. We didn't really have a plan, other than to make it to Big Sur, an area about five hours North of LA and just south of Monterey. We had done minimal research and were unsure of what to expect along the way, not my typical way of doing a road trip but I was up for the adventure. We figured there would be good places to stop for food and probably a hotel that we could rest at if we felt like we needed to (because 10 hours of driving is completely normal after being up for 36 hours, right?). 

We hopped in the car and couldn't wait to get the top rolled back. Trying to be fashionable for pictures and having forgotten my pony tail holder, I let my hair fly in the wind as we rolled down the highway headed up the coast. This was probably the worst idea of the whole trip. First of all, we were going 70 plus miles an hour and it's windy. Needless to say, I'm thankful for the sweater I was able to put around my head when I wasn't using it to keep warm. By the time we got to our destination, I had embraced the dreads look and knew I wouldn't be getting a brush through my hair anytime soon. No worries, half a bottle of conditioner and my hair is back to normal.

From the google search I had done the night before, there were a few places along the way that we had to stop at. As you drive along, blue signs will alert you to "Vista Points", not sure what that really means, but it was usually just a spot to pull off of the highway and get amazing pictures. Most of the places on my list were Vista Points. 

We went through Calabasas and Ventura starting out, most of the scenery here was rolling green hills covered in cows and vineyards. The sky was the most amazing color of blue and the clouds were like cotton balls. We felt like we were in Ireland or some far away place! 

San Simeon is a place well know for Hearst's Castle, the only castle in the United States and the site of Lady Gaga's latest music video (I'm warning you now that it is inappropriate).  We ended up stopping here (Point Piedras Blancas) to see the seals washed up along the beach, there were hundreds of them! 

Next up, Ragged Point. We stopped here to eat and found some amazing views. The Ragged Point Inn had a nice little lunch spot and convenient store with a trail leading to a look out over the ocean. Little did we know this was only the beginning of what this trip had in store for us.

We ventured a little further up the road and stopped at a couple more Vista Points. One was just for the view and the other for the Bixby Bridge. This bridge is famous for being in car commercials and movies so we were lucky that it wasn't shut down for filming (life in Hollywood). 

Last but not least, Big Sur. We stopped at a place called Pfieffer State Park and walked along a trail to the most breath taking view I have ever seen, and the place that made the trip worth it all. 

We stopped at a few more places along the way back as the sun was setting and were able to take in this great adventure for all that it was worth. 

We ended up staying in San Simeon on the way home, after many attempts of trying to stay in Big Sur. We figured after a whole day of driving for Craig and no sleep for me, this would be our best option. The stories to be told at this place are priceless. Maybe we were a little bit slap happy, but one bad thing about Craig and I is that when we start laughing one of us has to leave because we can't stop. Well, at one point of dinner we were both laughing so hard that our eyes were shut and our mouths, full of food, were wide open. Yes, I understand that we are grown adults and this is not mannerly but thankfully it wasn't the fanciest of places and not too many people were there. We woke up the next morning and headed back, with a stop at the zebras we had seen the day before (yes, I said zebras). Some people might tell you that they are wild (hotel concierge), but this is the US, zebras are not wild and they were most definitely in a fence. Either way, the view was spectacular and a great way to wake up and start our journey back home. 

This trip is one that I will remember for a life time and I am so thankful that my brother was able to join me. This is definitely a trip that I would recommend if you are coming out to California and would like to take a day trip (it can be done in a day if there are two drivers), but please rent a convertible, I promise it will be worth every penny. There isn't a whole lot to do along the way other than to relax and enjoy the sights and sounds. There is lots of hiking and camping along the way that we would like to enjoy the next time we make this trip. Craig and I both were happy to get out of LA and enjoy the fresh air and tranquility of what the PCH has to offer. 

Of course, it wouldn't be a road trip with the two of us without music blaring and sing-a-longs! 

Thanks for readin' and love y'all!! 

xoxo

Hadley